Thank you Esther. Do you think that IIMR would have potential to collaborate with multiple partners in North America?

Without a whole lot of information about the Purdue University Dept. of Food Science's cooperative effort with GSA, it seems it might be mostly concerned with processing and development of food products. Purdue is well placed for such activities, as it ranks highly in food science (in the top 10 in several rankings /1 /2 /3).

How might IIMR experts collaborate on other research areas, such as crop development or post-harvest processing (incl. hulling) or marketing? Might other institutions in North America have complementary strengths in this field? Should we in this region be thinking strategically about a consortium of institutions to develop this special group of grains (millets) for food and other uses over a multi-year period, which could also effectively interface with IIMR?

There is already a consortium around the Global Collaboration on Sorghum and Millet/4 (successor, as I understand it, of the Sorghum and Millet Innovation Lab), based at Kansas State University./5 Purdue is among the schools involved. Mostly, however, this evolving but enduring capacity has focused on international research and partnerships, with a focus on parts of Africa plus Haiti. I do not know what kind of relations they have, if any, with IIMR.

On the side of organizations involved in advocacy, I'm not familiar enough with GSA and its associated entities to know what its strengths are, aside from initiative and ability to draw in high-profile public figures (we could learn from the latter). It appears that some of the activity relates to promotion of Indian millet products in trade fairs (the term "millets corridors" has been used to describe this). It will be interesting to see how their collaboration with Purdue Food Science, and the involvement of IIMR works out, and what next steps are proposed. I've requested to be updated on the outcomes of the Expo to share with you all.

And all that is not even touching - as far as I know - on the critical roles of domestic production and of businesses working with one or more millets.

This is an exciting area, but it also has its complexities.

All the best,

Don

DO, EL, MI, US
NAMA



On Sun, Nov 3, 2024 at 4:05 PM Esther Shekinah <eshekinah@michaelfields.org> wrote:
IIMR is a research institute funded by the Govt of India, one of the many crop-based research institutes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The mandate of the institute is to research only/ all millet crops.

Thanks,
Esther

Esther S Durairaj, PhD
Education Director/ Research Agronomist
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
www.michaelfields.org
Office: 262-642-3303, Ext. 112
Cell: 614-441-2125 


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Today's Topics:

   1. GSA Global Millets Expo, Purdue University, 5-6 Dec. 2024
      (Don Osborn)


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Message: 1
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2024 23:17:52 -0400
From: Don Osborn <don@milletsalliance.org>
To: collab@lists.millets2023.space
Subject: [Collab] GSA Global Millets Expo, Purdue University, 5-6 Dec.
        2024
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The GSA Global Millets Expo at Purdue, originally scheduled for early November was moved back to 5-6 December 2024. Unfortunately it is already too late to register, but if anyone on the list will be attending, it would be most interesting to hear how it goes..

The webpage is the same as before, with new information on location etc., but no details on the program (when accessed today, 11/1):
https://ag.purdue.edu/events/department/foodsci/2024/11/gsa-global-millets-expo.html

I did some digging to find out more.

First of all, the conference sponsors indicated by logos on the flyer are:
* Fusion Systems and Services (Schaumberg, IL) https://fusionsystemsinc.com
* Global Eye International Institute of Leadership NFP (address in Chicago)
https://www.guidestar.org/profile/93-4298548 ; (launched in NY)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt9W-3GS8c0
* Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) https://www.millets.res.in/
* Amaze Foods LLC (a US-based company that appears to have been recently founded by Naveenchandra Karna, per mention in the digital monthly, Global Eye, #44, 23 Oct. 2024, p. 25 https://globaleyedigital.com/Newspaper/2024/44/GE-44.pdf )
* GSA Global Eye (a monthly digital newsmagazine with subscribers in India & North America) https://globaleyedigital.com/
** (GSA is apparently Global Strategic Associates, per https://www.facebook.com/theglobaleye/ , altho the editor of Global Eye, Dr. Vijay Prabhakar also is connected with Global Strategic Alliance, Inc.
in Chicago
https://www.alignable.com/chicago-il/global-strategic-alliance-inc-chicago-il
)

Further background on this event, including the role of Prof. Senay Simsek, Food Science, Purdue University, can be read in an article entitled "Turkish American Woman Breaks the Ceiling in the Academic World of Food Sciences," featured in the same edition of Global Eye mentioned above (#44,
23 Oct. 2024, p. 20,
https://globaleyedigital.com/Newspaper/2024/44/GE-44.pdf  ). An excerpt from the article pertaining to the conference is copied below, again, for your info:

"Embrace the Future of Food at the GSA Global Millet Expo 2024!

"Join us for the GSA GLOBAL MILLET EXPO 2024, hosted by SENAY SIMSEK at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana in collaboration with The Global Eye International Institute For Leadership NFP, Chicago, Illinois on December 5th and 6th, 2024! THIS EXPO WILL GIVE THE MANUFACTURERS OF MILLET PRODUCTS TO SHOWCASE THEIR PRODUCTS AND EXPLORE COLLABORATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH AMERICA"S TOP 20 FOOD MANUFACTURERS WHO ARE INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS WITH PURDUE"S FOOD SCIENCE DEPARTMENT. This extraordinary event will unite researchers, industry leaders, and enthusiasts to explore millet's potential as a superfood and its role in sustainable agriculture. Attendees will engage in enlightening discussions, discover groundbreaking research, and foster collaboration to address global challenges like food insecurity and climate change. Don?t miss this chance to be part of a movement that champions healthy eating and innovative farming practices.

"Register now at gsaglobalmilletsexpo@gmail.com and help cultivate a sustainable future through the power of food!"


This conference at Purdue seems most notable for the participation of the IIMR, an institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), that we understand is getting substantial funding from the government of India.

One lesson I get from researching the other sponsors of this event, is that we may expect interesting initiatives on millets from entities we have not previously encountered.

More as we learn about it...

Don

DO, EL, MI, US
NAMA


On Sat, Sep 7, 2024 at 1:05?AM Don Osborn <don@milletsalliance.org> wrote:

> Just came across a webpage for this event - GSA Global Millets Expo,
> at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, on 8-9 November. (in
> 2 months' time):
>
> https://ag.purdue.edu/events/department/foodsci/2024/11/gsa-global-mil
> lets-expo.html
>
> GSA probably stands for Graduate Students Association. The event page
> is under the Department of Food Science (of the College of Agriculture
> at Purdue). A forward link to registration is apparently forthcoming.
>
> The description on the webpage:(copied below) does not include any
> details about the program
>
> "Welcome to the Global Millets Expo at Purdue University, a premier
> event uniting government bodies, universities and key stakeholders
> from around the world to elevate the global presence and availability
> of millet, a group of ancient grains with deep roots in African and Asian agriculture.
> These small-seeded grasses are not only highly nutritious but also
> incredibly resilient, thriving in harsh climates with minimal water
> compared to traditional staples like wheat and rice. As the world
> faces growing challenges in food security, sustainable agriculture,
> and malnutrition, millets offer a promising solution. This expo aims
> to harness the rising global interest in these climate-resilient and
> gluten-free grains, particularly in regions like the United States,
> where millet has been underutilized. Join us in exploring the immense
> potential of millet to revolutionize agriculture and contribute to a
> more sustainable and secure food future."
>
> Does anyone know more about this? Or have contacts at Purdue - Food
> Science who might be able to provide more info?
>
> Don Osborn, PhD
> (East Lansing, MI, US)
> North American Millets Alliance
>
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